( semi-open ) though it may hurt today
WHO: Roland (
gradenine) & some of you guys
WHAT: July catchall + event
WHERE: Vaults, then some formalwear shop (get in losers we're going shopping)
WHEN: The rest of July
WARNINGS: Major Ruina and Leviathan spoilers in the first prompt. Death, murder, the usual Project Moon warnings apply, probably. Please refer to his opt-out for more info.

art credit | plotting comment | event log
hmu if you want a starter!
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WHAT: July catchall + event
WHERE: Vaults, then some formalwear shop (get in losers we're going shopping)
WHEN: The rest of July
WARNINGS: Major Ruina and Leviathan spoilers in the first prompt. Death, murder, the usual Project Moon warnings apply, probably. Please refer to his opt-out for more info.

art credit | plotting comment | event log
hmu if you want a starter!
b. out and about. (ota)
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don being here would be something of a surprise to those who know that fact. in reality, while she doesn't have much of a mind for fashion and the like herself (what's suitable is suitable, so long as she can fight in it it's fine) she has become fond...... of matching with friends....... she is here for accessories.
sort of like how roland's just here for ties, apparently, and don peeks above the glass case of sparkling bracelets by the registers across the way.
... ... ... ]
The polka dot one, for it gives thee a sense of fun!
[ gotta have a bit of pattern. she's going back to press her face against the glass. they're so sparkly. she can't take them. that's absolutely something she can't do. that's basically stealing. at least the other ones they could reasonably pay for should the owners return, but not these... no, not with how pretty they are, heart-achingly pretty... ]
As would a bit of color, Sir Roland! Why not try a red? Or green? Mine allies of a similar paleness to thee have looked quite good in the darker shade!
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but hey, don's back! as expected. and judging from her usual chipper demeanor it looked like nothing much has changed too, at least on the surface. roland will try asking her about that later on. ]
Your allies of a similar paleness...? [ girl you are talking to a white man wdym ] Uhh, they just don't look too good on me. The other colors, that is. I prefer blending in the background even if I sorta stick out with my monochromatic style anyway.
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Is it that thee wish to remain in the background, or is it because thou'rt still in mourning?
[ ooh... that one has star-looking jewels in it. how pretty. rolling her cheek on the glass to look better down the line. there's some neat looking green ones too. like little flowers for rings. ]
I daresay some color would look good on thee, but thou simply have yet to find it! Shall I assist thee? I have much experience with the rainbow!
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[ it's a bit of both. he won't elaborate on it. ]
Much experience with the rainbow, huh? I didn't take you for a fashion expert, Don. [ he smirks, putting down the collection of ties he'd grabbed. ] Sure, gimme your best shot. Why don't we start with... white?
[ roland. ]
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shuffle shuffle. humming. her short form seems to bob and weave through the various racks and stands like a hummingbird looking for flowers to suck off -- even if she isn't miss fashion, she does seem to be having some fun.
don'll pop from behind him though with some pieces in hand, along side a choice of a tie. ]
What say thee?!
[ hopeful... ]
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well, kaveh thinks, they're congruent. and then, because he's been asked to, kaveh really takes a look, ]
Well, first is that the blacks have to match. Do you plan on wearing what you've got on already? And where do you plan to go? [ that shouldn't be a question, though, kaveh realises, because this is the city where there really isn't anywhere to go. but it could be a date of some kind, or someone might want to dress up nicely for a fight. kaveh's seen enough these past few days that he's too tired to rule out any shenanigans.
he shifts his bundle of clothing in his arms carefully, then considers the man up and down. down, then with a slow elevator crawl back up in a series of mental measurements. ] And with your height, you'd want a tie that's a little bit shorter, unless you plan to tuck it beneath your lapel. Come here, stand in the light where I can see you a little better. Is your suit cotton? Did you have it tailored?
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now, here's a guy who looks and acts like a nest kid from the get-go. roland doesn't always know how to act around fancy-looking guys that aren't chesed, but at least this one knows what he's talking about? maybe?? who even knows. it's not like most fixers give a shit about fashion in their world, unless their office uniforms are already that fancy like the ones from liu association.
but roland... he's Just A Guy, a fixer from a one-man office. nothing special, in other words. he steps into the light as kaveh instructed watches the blond man give him the most judgmental once-over, mentally sweating at the questions the guy's firing at him. ]
Uhh, nowhere. Don't really have anywhere else to go from here. [ obviously. ] As for the material, I don't really recall. This suit's custom-made for my job, and it has to be durable as possible to endure all the blows I take, y'know?
[ he does not know, roland. the guy has probably never had the need to pick up a sword to fight in his life. ]
sorry for the delay! work busy's over, so i'm back. cracks those knuckles
kaveh side-steps to examine the side profile, and then, with a dip of his head, examines the hem of the cuff with a thoughtful hum - and it's thin, too. perhaps not breathable, but suits like those typically aren't. it doesn't make them any less effective, but it also means that they're likely terrible to try and wash. ]
What sort of blows? Edged force, blunt force, or elemental force? [ wait, teyvatian elemental laws don't apply - oh, but that doesn't meant there aren't comparable ones. kaveh considers this, and lets the question stand for itself. in any case: ] Well, in any case, your suit is matte. You see here? [ kaveh's head tilts in askance, before he gently taps roland's sleeve. ] It doesn't quite catch the light in any kind of noticeable sheen. The ties you've picked out seem to be pure silk; they're catching the light just fine. Any one of those that you pick will draw the eyes to your chest in a way that's incongruous with the way you look. It's also dangerous, isn't it? Assailants will aim for whatever they see first.
[ hm. kaveh straightens. ] Come with me. I thought I saw a few more ties in the back. There has to be one that matches; and have you thought about tie pins? Or cufflinks?
otsukare...... ive been busy myself too so. we out here 💪
Oh, all three of them. I don't always encounter ones that use the elements, but I did fight off the Liu Association guys a while back and those guys can really pack a lot of fire in their punches.
[ like, literally. still, it's always fascinating to listen to someone who seems to know their stuff quite well, and it's actually refreshing to meet a tailor who isn't a weirdo this time around. kaveh's just passionate, and as someone who doesn't really have a lot of passion outside of cooking, roland can only nod along to whatever he has to say. ]
But yeah, exactly. I'm not the type to stick out at all, so the plainer I look the better. Still, I want a tie for normal days - well, as normal as it can be in this City.
[ haha, a normal city. what a joke. in any case, roland follows kaveh to another display with better looking swatches, looking even more and more perplex. ]
Uh, no, I haven't really thought about pins or cufflinks either. Just 'cause we're in a formalwear shop doesn't mean I'm planning to get married. [ never mind the fact that he was married, once upon a time. ] You a tailor or something?
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[ fire, though. something about the emphasis suggests to kaveh that it isn't just a mere figure of speech. protection against pyro energy has always been a priority in sumeru, given the abundance of greenery and the textiles that they have reliable access to. it's just lucky that the rainforest is too humid to allow for unattended fires to catch on too quickly. it suddenly has kaveh wondering what the fire prevention systems are like in a city like this. he hadn't looked into it. it could be relevant.
still: the swatches before them are the kind of lightless monochrome that speaks to technical design. kaveh stops at a display with a thoughtful hum. unloading his own armful of textiles on the case, he reaches over it so that he can take out another set of ties. ]
Ah, for you, I'm thinking something like this. [ his fingers skirt over the material, and then, holding it up, gives roland a critical look-see. ] A bit of subtle elegance, but it doesn't take up the entire show. It's also a little easier to clean if it gets dirty. Try it on; there's also a skinnier version, and I can't tell if it'll look better on you or not if it's not modeled.
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drip time let's gooo
So it's probably because he spots Roland that he ambles in here at all, and luckily the lack of employees means he doesn't have to feel out of place in his old jeans. Hey king, how's it going... Having a normal week just like Junpei, for sure...
He stares at the ties. Is this a trick question. A puzzle. To his credit, he really does try to look at each one in earnest and make a good decision, but--]
Uh, this one...?
[The polka dots. Do they make ties in plaid, maybe try one of those?? He frowns lightly, because he has a question, but it feels dumb even before he says anything:]
Aren't three of these just the same black tie?
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for now, roland puts down the other ties and brings the polka-dotted one to his chest to compare it with the plain black one he's currently wearing. ]
Mm. Maybe if the dots were bigger...
[ hmmm. ]
And look, they're not exactly the same? If you look closely, there are some subtle patterns in these plain black ones. You know, for a change of scenery.
[ ties are serious business, apparently. ]
Anyway, what're you doing here of all places? You looking for a suit, too?
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So, first:] You're the one who picked out the dots in the first place...
[Picky! Junpei squints very intently at these other ties; he can see the slighter, subtler patterns, make no mistake - but those don't make them "different ties" to him, because he's a schlub who can't dress. He shrugs, like, okay, sure? If Roland says they're different, they're probably different in a way that matters.
To other people, anyway.]
Well, I saw you were in here, so... [so he came for the friendship time, don't perceive him for this. Ahem. Pivoting,] I don't really do suits.
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You don't? Not even for a special occasion or even a job interview? I remember you mentioning that you used to work at a detective agency, and those guys usually have a suit and tie on for field work.
[ not even for prom, junpei? come on, now. in any case, roland puts down the swatches and ruffles through the selection for another one, still in black and white. it's so dire, dude. ]
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So no, he's never worn a suit. Or been to prom, probably... But he knows Roland's fashion sense is boring the hell out of him, speaking as a guy who is also always dressed in monochrome, so after a beat of watching him go back to the black and white ties, Junpei turns to the nearest tie rack with some color on it and selects a cool red one.]
Here. What about this one?
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[ This is a joke, there is uniformly no occasions in this city that don't involve stilted attempts at imitating humanity and, apparently, some emotional damage. Still, Midnight takes this very seriously, even though his entire wardrobe is black, some green, and pinks at varying levels of loudness. He looks at the ties, thinking. ]
Perhaps the better inquiry is whether you have anyone to impress or not. I'm already impressed, if it makes you feel better.
I WAS GOING TO TAG YOU BROOOOOO
[ hey, buddy. he puts the ties down nearby and goes off to pick more swatches - in black and white, of course. ]
No occasion, unless you count that really drab party last month. I was just looking for new outfits to wear, and... well. [ he lets out a sheepish chuckle. ] I can't really tear myself away from the usual suit and tie that I usually use for work.
wait, i know what the kids say to this, uh (checks notes) git gud?
I won't talk you out of your sartorial habits, but if any one choice out of the bunch is the same as any other in your eyes, I don't see an issue with closing your eyes and choosing one at random.
[ ... ]
May I suggest against the plain black, though? If only because I think you might have one already, and the size of it is already flattering on you.
damn u got me there....
[ SIGHS, then puts his monochrome ties down in defeat. ]
I can never have too many black ties, though. It's part of my uniform. But in that case, you got any suggestions, big guy?
🫡
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that said, he somehow manages to traverse to this specific establishment and he's met with a stranger who asks him for advice. there is a slight pause as he seems to mull over it.
there's almost a tension in the air as he puts his hand to his chin as if in deep thought. before he responds with a simple: ] Why these five? [ time to delve into the tie philosophy.... ]
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Oh, I just like 'em. I guess I have a thing for black and white?
[ says the guy who's never seen outside of his professional suit and tie. real salaryman vibes right here. ]
I mean, I guess I could go for a splash of color for a change. But I don't even know where to start with that. [ he shrugs. it's literally not that deep, because roland is not a deep kind of person. in fact, he's easily understood (lol). ]
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but, to be fair, yoshida gravitated to the same type of colors, but probably not for the same reasons. still, he simply seems to nod. if this man was here for the tastes of just an average high schooler, it isn't like he'd know, but he was more than willing to state his opinion. ]
A thing or habit? [ not that it makes a difference in the grander scheme of things. ] What do you think of red? [ but, almost opposite to that, he does choose the middle tie, hovering it a few inches away from the man's chest as if urging him to try it on. ]
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red, huh. of course, the first thing he thinks about the color red is blood. then the red mist, who was so aptly named because of blood. but this kind of morbid thinking isn't really roland's thing, so he shakes his head to get his mind off it. ]
Mm, it's all right. [ a shrug. ] One other guy even recommended me a red tie, but the design he chose was pretty meh. So I was hoping for a different color than that.
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